Description: Graptemys versa is a smaller turtle; females only attain a carapace length of 8.4 inches. Males are even smaller, only attaining a carapace length of 3.5 inches. When viewed dorsally, the carapace is oval-shaped with the widest part just above the rear legs. The posterior marginals are serrated and the carapacial scutes are convex. A medial keel is present on the vertebral scutes with the most prominent keels being located on the first three. The apex of these scutes are yellowish but often become worn down with age. The base coloration of the carapace is olive green with yellow reticulations. Juveniles and young adults often bear some slight pattern along the central seams of the plastral scutes. However, some adults have a creamy yellow plastron free of markings.

Habitat: These turtles stay within close proximity of the Colorado River drainage area. They prefer shallow waterways where there is a moderate current and abundant vegetation. The substrates of the waterways these turtles inhabit tend to be either sand, clay, or limestone. When not in the water, they are often found on basking snags.

Range: An endemic species of the state of Texas, Graptemys versa, or what is commonly called the Texas Map Turtle, is found only within the Edwards Plateau region of Central Texas. It makes its home with in the streams and tributaries of the Colorado River drainage area.

Found in these States: TX

Diet: This species of turtle has a diet consisting of small mollusks, such as snails, and some local vegetation. In captivity, meats (fish, chicken, beef), dog food, insects, and at times lettuce are the recommended diet. Females, because of their larger head size, tend to be more carnivorous, while males are primarily omnivorous.

Reproduction: It is believed that these turtles mate in both early spring and late fall. Head bobbing by males has been observed during mating season, although specific mating behaviors have yet to be described. Females come on shore to lay their eggs. They make their nests (usually several inches deep) along sandbars and other sandy areas that provide protection to the clutch. The female usually lays few eggs; six eggs have been the most known laid in any one clutch. The eggs hatch sixty-five to eighty-five days after being deposited. Hatchlings have not been readily observed in their natural habitat. Sex determination in these turtles is temperature dependent. Generally, species within the Graptemys genus produce mostly males at temperatures lower than 82.4℉ and mostly females at temperatures 86℉ or above, although specific temperatures for G. versa have not been found. Karyotyping of this species has revealed that these turtles have 50 chromosomes: 12 pairs of microchromosomes, 11 pairs of metacentric, and 2 pairs of acrocentric macrochromosomes. This is a unique characteristic, because not all species within Graptemys share this number or arrangement of chromosomes.

Status: The number of turtles in each species of Graptemys has declined in past years. Several factors have been found to contribute to this decline, including environmental changes (pollution, habitat reduction, etc.), predation, and pet trade. Graptemys versa has had no state-regulated conservation program implemented. In 1996, however, a proposal was submitted to the Convention of International Trade of Endangered Species of World Fauna and Flora (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) for inclusion of all Graptemys sp. in Appendix II. Several other species in this genus have conservation programs at both the state and national levels.

Subspecies: None

Taxonomy: